Ernest Reeve
Ernest was a factory worker on enlistment.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Ernest Reeve was the son of Harry and Elizabeth Reeve (née Dale).
His father was born in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, in 1871 and his mother in Nottingham, also in 1871. They were married in Nottingham in 1890 and had seven children, who were all born in Nottingham; Harry b. 1891 bap. Sneinton St Stephen 29 June 1891; George birth reg. 1893 (JFM) bap. Emmanuel church 1 March 1893; Ernest b. February 1894 bap. Nottingham St Ann 30 September 1893; Lottie b. October 1895 bap. St Ann 11 November 1895; Elizabeth birth reg. 1897 (JFM), Florence b. 1908 and William b. 1911 (JAS).
According to the baptismal registers, Harry and Elizabeth were living at 5 Dennett Terrace in June 1891; 3 Harold Terrace in March 1893; 10 Reform Terrace in September 1894 and 24 Jackson Street in November 1895.
Harry, a painter, and Elizabeth, a lace dresser, were living at 5 Dennett Terrace, Sneinton, at the time of the 1901 Census, a few months before the birth of their first child, Harry.
Harry was still employed as a painter in 1901 when he and Elizabeth were living at 45 Turner Street, St. Ann's, with their five children, Harry, George, Ernest, Lottie and Elizabeth.
By 1911 Harry was publican of the Chase Tavern, 140 St Ann's Well Road; his wife was assisting in the business. Five of their six children were in the home on the night of the Census: George (18) a hairdresser, Ernest (17) who worked in the hosiery trade, Lottie (15) a machinist, Elizabeth (14) a lace errand girl, and the youngest child, Florence, who was three years old. The seventh child, William, was born later that year. The eldest son, Harry, has not yet been traced on the census but may have already joined the Army.
Harry snr. was later publican of the Rose and Crown Inn, Cotgrave, and then at the time of his son Ernest's death in 1916, the publican of the Old Red Lion, Radcliffe on Trent. However, he had moved to the Coachmakers' Arms, 109 St Ann's Well Road, by 1918.
The second son, George, married Alice Jenkinson (b. 1893) in 1913 (reg. JFM). They had five children: George b. 1913 (JAS) d. 1913 (OND), William birth reg. 1915 (JFM), Jack birth reg. 1920 (JFM), Norman birth reg. 1923 (JFM) and Evelyn A. b. 1924. George, a gentlemen's hairdresser, his wife and their four children were living on St Ann's Well Road in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. George served with the Army Service Corps, 1917-1919 (see 'Extra information'). Alice died in 1960 and George in September 1969.
Harry married Ellen (Nellie) Tuckwood in 1915 (OND Nottingham). He was serving in India by 1918 and Nellie was also in India by November 1920 by which time her husband was serving in Mesopotamia.
Elizabeth married Robert Burton in 1919 and had two daughters, Lottie b. 1920 and Kathleen E. b. 1924. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Robert, a bus driver PSV, Elizabeth and their daughters, who were both in the hosiery trade, were living at 7 Pulborough Close, Basford, Nottingham. Robert died in 1978 and Elizabeth in 1992.
Harry was still the licensee of the Coachmakers' Arms in 1921 and assisted in the business by his wife. Also in the home were their two youngest children, Florence and William, both school age, their son Harry's wife, Ellen (Nellie) and her daughter Joyce (7m. b. Mhow, India), and their married daughter Lottie Thomas (m. 1921 AMJ) and her husband Ernest (b. 1894), a locomotive fireman (Great Central Railway).
The youngest daughter, Florence, has not yet been traced after 1921.
In 1939, Ernest, an engine driver (LNER), Lottie and their son William Dennis (b. 1924), an apprentice blacksmith, were living on St Helier's Road, Cleethorpe. Ernest died in 1971 (reg. JFM Nottingham) and his widow in 1988 (reg. OND Nottingham).
Harry jnr., a bailiff (County Court), his wife and their three children, Joyce, a tobacco stripper, Harry (b. 1924 reg. Egypt Armed Forces) a musical instrument repairer, and Elizabeth (b. 1928 reg. Farnham Surrey), were living at 136 Berridge Road, Nottingham, in 1939. Harry died in 1976.
Harry snr. was publican of The Woolpack, Sussex Street, Nottingham, at the time of his death on 7 August 1923. His widow, Elizabeth, of 83 Maud Street, died on 15 February 1932. Administration of her Will was awarded to her sons, Harry, county court bailiff, and George, a hairdresser.
Harry jnr., a bailiff (County Court), his wife and their three children, Joyce, a tobacco stripper, Harry (b. 1924 reg. Egypt Armed Forces) a musical instrument repairer, and Elizabeth (b. 1928 reg. Farnham Surrey), were living at 136 Berridge Road, Nottingham, in 1939. Harry died in 1976.
The youngest child, William, married Mabel Ethel Barks at New Basford St Augustine in March 1937. The marriage certificate gave his occupation as warehouseman, father Harry (deceased), address 7 Pulborough Close, Heathfield, Basford, the home in 1939 of his married sister Elizabeth Burton and her husband Robert. William and Mabel had a son, Barry, in 1942. In 1939 they were living at 2 Shaw Street, Ruddington; William's occupation was given as off-licence/warehouseman (hosiery manufacturer) and his wife was a shopkeeper. William served in the RAFVR in the Second World War and was killed on 28 September 1943 when his aircraft crashed (UK).
Rifleman Ernest Reeve enlisted on 5 November 1914 in Nottingham. He was aged 20y 207d, occupation factory worker.
He was posted to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps depot at Winchester on 10 November 1914.
He joined the British Expeditionary Force France on 3 August 1915 and served there until he suffered a gunshot wound to the hip on 12 January 1916. He returned to England for treatment on 17 January and remained in England until 20 June 1916, then returned to the Western Front.
He was reported wounded and missing on 5 November 1916 during an attack on the Boritska and Hazy trenches and his death was later confirmed as 'killed in action' on that date. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France (Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B).
According to an 'In Memoriam' notice in the local paper in November 1918 on the anniversary of Ernest's death, his brothers Harry and George were also serving, Harry in India and George in France. Subsequent 'In Memoriam' notices in 1920 and 1921 included the information that Harry was serving in Mespotamia.
George Reeve attested on 9 December 1915, transferred to the Army Reserve on 10 December. He was mobilized 21 April 1917 (M/315753 Private) and joined the Army Service Corps at the Mechanical Transport Depot ASC, Grove Park, London, on 23 April 1917, and in June passed a test as a heavy lorry driver. He embarked at Southampton on 3 December 1917 for service with BEF France, disembarking Le Havre 4 December. Posted to Aircraft Section and to ‘M’ anti-aircraft battery. George was discharged from the Army on 12 May 1919, no longer physically fit for war service (para 392 (xvi) KR). Discharged to 253 St Ann’s Well Road, Notingham.
Their youngest brother, William, served in the Second World War, 1581814 Sergeant RAFVR, 57 Squadron (Bomber Command), and was killed when his aircraft crashed on 28 September 1943. See record on this Roll of Honour.
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 29 January 1917:
'Reeve. Killed in action November 5th, Rifleman Ernest Reeve, K.R.R.C., aged 23 years, the dearly beloved son of Mrs. and Mr. Reeve, the Old Red Lion, Radcliffe-on-Trent. A bitter blow, a shock severe, to part with one we all loved so dear. He nobly did his duty. From his sorrowing mother, father, sisters, and brothers.'
'Reeve. Wounded and missing, November 5th, 1916, now reported killed, Rifleman E. Reeve, K.R.R.C. We never knew what pain he had, we never saw him die, we only know he passed away without a last good-bye. From his sorrowing brother and wife, George and Alice.'
Above courtesy Jim Grundy Facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 5 November 1917: ‘Reeve. In fond remembrance of Rifleman Ernest Reeve, KRR, killed in action November 5th 1916. Ever in my thoughts. Eva.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 5 November 1917: ’Reeves (sic). In loving memory of Private Ernest Reeves, KRR, killed in action November 5th, 1916. Far and oft my thoughts do wander, to that grave so far away, where they laid my dearest nephew, just one year ago to-day. From aunt Emily, Uncle Jack, and cousin, Jack (in France).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 5 November 1918: 'Reeve. In loving memory of our dear son, Rifleman Ernest Reeve, KRR, killed in action November 5th, 1916, the dearly loved son of Harry and Elizabeth Reeve, Coachmakers’ Arms. Two years have passed, our hearts still sore, as day by day we miss him more. Too dearly loved to ever be forgotten. From father, mother, sisters, and brothers (Harry in India, George in France).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 5 November 1918: ’Reeve. In fond remembrance of our dear brother Rifleman E Reeve, fell in action November 5th, 1916. Sadly missed. Brother Harry (India) and wife Nellie [m. 1915]’
(www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Notices also from 'Aunt Emily, Uncle Jack, three cousins with the colours’ and sisters Lottie and Lizzie (Elizabeth).
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 5 November 1919: notices from ‘parents, sisters and brothers, Coachmakers’ Arms’ and ‘sister Lizzie and Bob [Burton m. 1919].’
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 5 November 1920: notices from ‘father, mother, sisters, brothers (Harry in Mesopotamia and Nellie in India)’ and ‘George and Alice.’ Also notices 1921 from Harry (Mesopotamia) & Nellie, Lizzie & Bob, and parents, sisters and brothers and 1923/1924 from mother, brothers, sisters and family.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 8 August 1923: ‘Reeve. On August 7th, The Woolpack, Sussex-street, Harry, the dearly loved husband of Elizabeth Reeve (late Coachmakers’ Arms), after much suffering patiently borne.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate. Reeve Harry of The Woolpack Inn Sussex-street Nottingham died 7 August 1923. Probate Nottingham 26 June (1925) to George Soles tinman. Effects £769 19s.10d.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 18 February 1932: ‘ Reeve. Elizabeth, of 83 Maud-street, died General Hospital, February 15th. Interment General Cemetery (top end), 12.30, Friday.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate: Reeve. Elizabeth of 83 Maud-street Nottingham widow died 15 February 1932 Administration Nottingham 15 April to Harry Reeve county court bailiff and George Reeve hairdresser. Effects £532 16s. Resworn £682 16s.
Research Peter Gillings. Additional research including link with William Reeve (k. 1943)/record updated RF (May 2026)
Photo of Ernest Reeve
Thiepval Memorial,
Photo of Ernest Reeve
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone. Photograph Rachel Farrand (23 April 2026)
Photo of Ernest Reeve
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone. Photograph Rachel Farrand (23 April 2026)
Photo of Ernest Reeve
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial (www.cwgc.org)